A summons or letter from "Faloni Law Group" -- or the older "Faloni & Associates" -- is alarming because it comes from a law firm. The short version: it's a real New Jersey firm, not a scam. The version that helps you is that a law firm can sue, so the mistake to avoid is ignoring court papers.
Short answer
Yes, Faloni Law Group is legit -- a New Jersey debt-collection law firm, successor to Faloni & Associates. If you were served, file a written answer by the deadline, demand validation, and confirm you were properly served by checking the docket.
Who they are
Faloni Law Group, LLC is a law firm that collects debts in New Jersey, filing suits and handling recovery on consumer and commercial accounts. Because it regularly collects consumer debts, it's bound by the FDCPA -- attorneys are not exempt -- so you can demand validation and dispute the balance.
Why you may see two names
The practice is the successor to Faloni & Associates, LLC, so older judgments, letters, or tradelines may carry the former name. That's not a red flag by itself -- but tie the account to a real debt of yours and dispute it if you can't.
Is it a scam?
No -- it's a real law firm. But impostors impersonate law firms and demand gift cards or wires with threats of immediate arrest; a real firm serves court papers through the court and takes traceable payment. Confirm any lawsuit through the actual court docket.
How to deal with them
- Never ignore a summons. File a written answer by your court's deadline to avoid a default judgment.
- Demand written validation and ask the firm to name the original creditor; check the statute of limitations before you pay or promise anything.
- If a debt buyer is the plaintiff, make it prove the chain of title -- that it actually owns your account.
If the balance is really yours
Once the debt is validated, ownership is confirmed, and it's a genuine personal unsecured debt (not a commercial account), it's negotiable -- settle in writing and get the terms in writing before you pay. A settled balance of more than $600 may generate a 1099-C. Keep proof. Rules and timelines vary by state.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Your rights and timelines vary by state; consider consulting a qualified attorney, legal aid, or your state attorney general's office.